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Celebrating 40 years of Catholic Charismatic Renewal
About two thousand people, all nationalities attended Westminster Cathedral
on 5th May 2007 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic
Renewal (CCR).
We were privileged to have had Cardinal Cormac Murphy
O’Connor, Papal Preacher Raniero Cantalamessa, Dorothy & Kevin Ranaghan,
Linda Schubert, David & Mary Matthews & Nicky Gumbel as our guest
speakers.
Cardinal Cormac commented that he was delighted with the warmth and enthusiasm
of the congregation and the support of the CCR for his position.
He
commented “if you continue to behave like that I will have to come again” and then proceeded
to seek a second standing ovation showing his great wit.
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More about
Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) and its 40th ...
Forty is a very special number biblically, so we should expect this year,
the 40th anniversary of the CCR to be a special time of grace and blessing
from God. There had already been celebrations in Scotland, and in the North
of England, and so this coming together in Westminster was the next "follow
on" event.
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Fr Raniero thought he was settled in University as a theologian but after
he received the Baptism of The Holy Spirit he felt he had to become a preacher.
He was horrified at the idea as he was happy being a theologian.  After much
resistance he is now Preacher to the Papal household. He also stated that
we are 125 million people strong today.
The speakers were wonderful – different denominations, all witnessing to
the power of the Holy Spirit in opening people up to conversion to Christ
& personal transformation. One speaker Linda Schubert encouraged us to
surrender ourselves to God staying little in his hands, and he will move
through us and bring others to life through us.
 Our group of four relied on our one male leader praying to get us there in
one piece & then the parking Angel answering our prayer by providing
the last parking space outside the Cathedral!!
The music was outstanding with the entire congregation participating, even
responding to the bidding prayers in tongues. Well done to Eamonn, Dominic,
Mike, Gill and Thomas, our very own musicians, fantastic as usual.
The witness of the non-catholic visitors who gave their testimonies was moving,
powerful, inspirational and demonstrated the unity between the different
Christian Churches today.
The testimony from David Matthews a Protestant
from Northern Ireland, who, as a young man, had no time for Catholics, shared
with us how he had said to his wife Mary that he never thought he would be
speaking in Westminster Cathedral.
The whole celebration was uplifting, it was great to hear so many sharing
how the Holy Spirit had changed their lives and of the marvels that God has
done and is still doing today.
Tom, Pat, Mary & Shelagh
May 2007
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© Ss Alban & Stephen
Catholic Church 2007
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